College Signing: Loudoun County’s Katie Orrison to play lacrosse for CNU

Loudoun County’s Katie Orrison has committed to play lacrosse for Christopher Newport University starting in the 2016/2017 school year.

Leesburg, VA (August 22, 2015) – Loudoun County High School senior, Katie Orrison has committed to play DIII lacrosse for Christopher Newport University starting in the 2016/2017 school year.

“Making the decision to commit to CNU was one of the best feelings, said Orrison. It was such a weight lifted off my shoulders. I started the recruiting process during my freshman year and for the past three years I attended numerous camps, clinics and tournaments in search of the perfect fit. The whole recruiting process was so stressful, but it felt wonderful to make a final decision this past December to play lacrosse at such a great school.”

Christopher Newport University is located on a 260-acre campus in Newport News, Virginia. With more than 80 areas of study, from biology to business administration and political science to the performing arts, CNU offers a broad selection of paths to choose from for one’s educational journey. U.S. News and World Report lists CNU 18th among all regional universities in the South and 7th among public regional universities in the South.

“Great biology program, Division III program, close to home, close team, great coaches and great campus were all factors that led to my decision.”

Orrison’s head lacrosse coach will be Lisa Valentine. This past June, CNU Director of Athletics Todd Brooks named Valentine as the woman’s lacrosse head coach; its fourth in the program’s 15-year history. Valentine will take over a youthful CNU program that finished the 2015 season with a 9-8 record and 5-3 in the CAC with just one senior on the roster. She takes over for Carolyn Query,who led the Captains to six NCAA Tournaments over the last eight seasons.

Valentine is a 2006 graduate of the University of Maryland, where she played on the women’s lacrosse squad from 2002 to 2006. She was a part of the Terrapin teams that reached the NCAA Tournament all four years, including the Final Four in 2003. Said Valentine, “Christopher Newport is a special place that harbors an elite level of support for its student-athletes. I look forward to joining the CNU community and helping the women’s lacrosse program compete at a championship level.”

Going into my first year, I expect to work hard and contribute all I can to find a place on the team, said Orrison. I’m looking forward to my first year and all that it has to offer.”

Asked about her fondest memories playing high school lacrosse Orrison shared, “Our team pasta dinners, spending time with my teammates and laughing a lot while preparing for our upcoming games.”County lacrosse team since her freshman year. As a captain for the 2015 LCHS lacrosse team, she earned 1st Team All-Region, 2nd Team All-State honors and All-Loudoun honors playing the attack position. She was 1st Team All-District her sophomore year and 2nd Team All-District as a freshman. Katie also plays for the Capital Girls Lacrosse Club in the fall and summer and maintains a GPA of 4.15.

“I would like to thank my parents because they did so much for me and supported me every step of the way. They’ve dealt with numerous early mornings and long weekends for tournaments. They took me to every practice and every game and were always there on the sideline. I am extremely grateful for their support and dedication to me. I’m also thankful for all of my coaches and teammates who have helped along the way.”

When asked what advice she’d give others pursuing their dream, Orrison shared, “Hard work really does pay off. Even when you think there is no way to reach your goals, you need to always believe that you are doing the best you can to reach them and never give up. There is something perfect for everyone and your hard work will get you there.”

Please join us in wishing Katie Orrison the very best in her success on the lacrosse field and in the classroom as she works towards a biology degree in her pursuit of a career in healthcare.